Best Nintendo Switch games to play right now

There's never been a better time to dive into one of the best Nintendo Switch games. The team here at GamesRadar+ has been in love with this handheld hybrid for seven years now, and we've played just about every title that the platform has to offer. That's made pulling a list of the 25 best Nintendo Switch games together pretty tricky, but we are confident there's something for everyone here. 

Whether you're after excellent Switch exclusives or just looking for a little indie game to tide you over while you're waiting for one of the upcoming Switch games on the horizon for this year, it shouldn't take long for something to catch your eye here. 

We've attempted to make this list of best Switch games as varied as possible, too. So, hopefully, there's something for everyone to enjoy whether you're a JRPG fan or a collector of the best Mario games. So, get your Joy-Cons ready and keep reading to find the best Nintendo Switch games that you can play today!

25. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

Genre: Adventure

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a narrative adventure that posits questions around player choice itself. You play as an exiled witch who has designed her own tarot card deck and now does divinations for other witches. You'll face moral dilemmas as you work with them, impactful questions, and other things to consider. It's a beautifully told story with a brilliant card-building element. It's seriously worth playing and fully deserves its place on this list as one of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time. 

24. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Genre: Platformer / Adventure

Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes you on a memorable adventure packed with delightful features, challenges, and new standout additions. Taking place in a mysterious world with wonderfully creative stages, every level hides plenty of secrets you'll want to experience for yourself. The platforming is more open, so you can take the time to explore and make the most of the pink puffball's first proper step into the realm of 3D. 

Forgotten Land also introduces the new Mouthful Mode skill that allows you to become a car, cone, water balloon, and more. And when you want to take a break from the platforming, you can even take a breather at Waddle Dee Town, with mini-games and side activities galore. It's one of the best Kirby games ever made, and honestly, we can't get enough!

23. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Genre: Adventure / Platformer

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury gives you a whole host of Mario fun in one bundle. On the one hand you've got the re-release of the Wii U platformer Super Mario 3D World, which offers a range of inventive platforming levels that you can play through on your own or with up to three friends. It's the game that introduced the Cat Mario power-up and is wonderfully zany and inventive with its worlds. But then you've also got the compact new adventure that is Bowser's Fury. 

This is more akin to Super Mario Odyssey and delivers a brand new story to explore and play through as you fight alongside Bowser Jr. to take down Fury Bowser. It takes elements from Super Mario 3D World, too, so it's just as loveable. This is quite the package. 

22. Bayonetta 2

Genre: Action

Originally released as a Wii U exclusive, Bayonetta 2 has now been re-released on Switch, and it means that you now have no excuses not to play one of the best action games of all time. Although, when the heroine is a witch with magical hair and (literally) killer stilettos, you won’t really need an excuse not to. This Switch release allows you to experience some of the most action-packed, brutal moments from the last decade of gaming wherever you want. 

Although it’s a shame the resolution is locked to 720p, even on your TV, it doesn’t detract from the fact it’s a better game than it was on Wii U, even if you look at the major frame rate improvements alone. The game looks stunning regardless, and if you’re an action game fan in the slightest, you owe it to yourself to play Bayonetta 2. In fact, when you buy Bayonetta 2 you actually go one better, because you get the original game thrown in for free too. Bargain.

21. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Genre: Adventure

Not many games offer you the chance to build something that will last an entire console generation, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons does just that. After Nook whisks you away to your very own tropical island - for a fee, of course - it's down to you to build a life there. You'll invite new residents to move to your sandy shores, grow local business, create a community, and craft an island you can all be proud of. Running in line with real-world days, Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn't one to be rushed, but it is the idyllic getaway we all need right now.  

20. Minecraft

Genre: Building simulation  

Minecraft on Switch means an ultra-portable, buildable delight. You can sit with a friend to play together on the local network. You can also play online if you're not eager to go exploring alone, or try out one of its mini-games: Battle (straightforwards PvP), Tumble (a race that involves shovels or snowballs), or Glide (get to the end of the course asap). A plethora of achievements makes for pleasantly directed playing, giving you something to aim for. But, when it comes down to it, you never feel like you've quite beaten Minecraft, even if you've been playing for tens of hours. 

It's an exercise in discovery, with structures that previously only existed in your wildest dreams suddenly viable - as long as you have the resources. Whether you're tenacious, easygoing, or just rabidly curious, think of Minecraft as a gracious host that will make you and anyone you choose to co-op with delirious with happiness. Definitely worthy of its spot on our best Nintendo Switch games list.

19. Octopath Traveler

Genre: JRPG

What Octopath Traveler really excels at is scale. Whereas any other game would put all of its focus onto a single protagonist, Square Enix's JRPG tells the story of eight - yes, eight - heroes, and all of their beautifully told stories are given the same gravitas, which is quite the feat. It's a wonderful collection of stories, told in a world inspired by some of the best JRPGs of old, particularly in terms of art style, and its combat is some of the best turned-based systems the JRPG world has to offer. If any of this intrigues you, then Octopath Traveler needs to be on your wishlist immediately. Or, preferably, under your thumbs. Get involved with this excellent addition to the best Switch games list. 

18. Stardew Valley

Genre: Simulation

There's a reason Stardew Valley was one of the most highly anticipated titles coming to the Nintendo Switch and now ranks so highly on this list of best Nintendo Switch games. This adorable, simple life, farming simulator is the perfect game for taking advantage of the Switch's portability. Farming at home, farming on the go, farming wherever the heck you fancy farming. It's a fantastic game for whiling away the evenings with a spot of farming, mining, animal rearing, fishing and other super relaxed activites. Trust us, you'll soon be as immersed in the world of Stardew as we are.

17. Super Mario RPG

Genre: RPG

If anyone missed out on playing Super Mario RPG the first time around, as so many of us did, this remake is well worth investing in. Super Mario RPG is legendary for a reason, and this takes what was epic in the first place, adding tweaks that make it even more engaging. Yes, it's still '90s RPG storytelling, but it's one of the most surprising Mario games of all time because of it. So, for that reason, we had to do the right thing and make sure this classic was on our list of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time. 

16. Hollow Knight

Genre: Platformer

Some are suggesting that Hollow Knight is Dark Souls for beginners. But it's really a Dark Souls with stunning hand-painted aesthetics, a color palette to make you cry, and a stunning orchestral soundtrack that you just want to bathe in. It's one of our best Nintendo Switch games for a reason, folks. In true Metroidvania style, you'll be exploring a labyrinth of underground areas, each more distinct than the last, and all filled with strange creatures to fight, and bizarre bugs to befriend. (Yes, really.) As you progress you gain new abilities, grow in power, and more devoted to uncovering all of Hollow Knight's secrets. One of the best Switch games to date.

15. Paper Mario: The Origami King

Genre: Action/Strategy

Paper Mario: The Origami King might not be the RPG you'd hope for, but it is special. Nintendo has tapped right into the fun, light-hearted spirit that has always pervaded the Paper Mario series, and also introduced a tonne of new features including a ring-system for battling. It'll have you twisting and turning your enemies into place before whacking them with hammers or stomping them with your boots, while Boss battles see stationary taking a dark turn. Ultimately, this is a fun, light-hearted celebration of Super Mario with a strong story, great humour, and brilliant characters

14. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Genre: Adventure

If you want a slice of more classic, dungeon-focused gameplay on the Switch, then you need Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening in your life. It takes the Game Boy Colour game - Link's Awakening DX - and gives it a fresh art style, a chibi-esque toy village vibe that makes this one of the best-looking games on Switch – and the most adorable. In that way, it manages to feel like a brand-new game while still maintaining the essence and story of the quirky original. Definitely one of the best Switch games right now and one of the best Zelda games you can play on the platform.

13. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Genre: Strategy

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a strategy game that works incredibly well even if you're not a fan of strategy games. It features brilliant, polished game mechanics that are introduced in stages to let you get to grips with the game's surprisingly deep tactical gameplay. But it mixes that gameplay with real knowledge of the Super Mario universe and wraps it up in a level of detail and graphical quality that you can regularly mistake it for a Nintendo-made title. It's an absolute joy and definitely worth its place on this best Switch games list, especially as it takes what the original game does and adds more freedom, creativity, and further Super Mario-ness.

12. Pikmin 4

Genre: Strategy

Turns out Pikmin's fourth series' entry is also its best. With so many improvements on the classic strategy formula to make it the most approachable ever, it also becomes the most fun. It's a huge game with so much to see - even after the credits roll - and new additions like space-dog Oatchi, ice and glow Pikmin, and more make for a really memorable strategy experience. Also, Pikmin have always been cute, but in Pikmin 4, they are extra adorable, and we can't help but love those little guys. 

11. Luigi's Mansion 3

Genre: Adventure

Proof that the green plumber can be the star of the show, Luigi's Mansion 3 takes you on a journey full of memorable spooks, creative puzzles, fantastic level design, and charm that oozes from every pore. Oh, and have we talked about Gooigi? Luigi's goo-filled compadre that can slip straight into places the human Luigi just can't? Well, it all combines to find the right balance between new and old, delivering a refreshing spin on the Luigi's Mansion formula and earning its place on this best Switch games list. Newcomers and longtime fans are sure to delight in exploring everything the hotel has to offer. 

10. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Genre: JRPG

If you want a JRPG that's really going to take over your world, you need Xenoblade Chronicles 3. It's easy to sink upwards of 150 hours into this one, thanks to its gargantuan world and the fact it delivers an epic sci-fantasy tale. The combat is the best and most complicated in the series to date, and combined with engrossing systems, there's almost limitless progression on offer here. It's an almost flawless game, and although it isn't perfect, what's here is more than enough to justify any shortcomings.

9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Genre: Brawler

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is pulling out all the stops when it comes to characters and is easily one of the best two-player switch games you can play today. With a whopping 74 characters available to unlock, this is definitely the busiest roster of them all. That total includes 11 brand-new characters - and that's before you've even started on the DLC. 

That means a whole new set of fighters to learn in the heat of battle, but thankfully, this is the best Super Smash Bros. title yet in terms of its looks and the way the stages are detailed and animated. Fighters move more naturally and with additional flare, and the KO animations are more satisfying than ever. Plus, there's even a surprisingly meaty single-player story to dive into. This is quite the package. 

8. Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Genre: RPG

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is Game Freak's foray into an open-world Pokemon adventure, and it's achieved something quite special. The game takes us back to a point in time where the Sinnoh region is known as the Hisui region. There are no cities, no Pokemon Gyms, no trainers, just a quest to figure out what's going on in the region, and build the locale's very first Pokedex. 

You'll catch, battle, and train up wild Pokemon you meet in the overworld and work with them and the brilliant humans you'll meet to solve quite the mystery. It's an excellent new direction for the series and a refreshingly different approach to the core mechanics. Honestly, it's one of the best Pokemon games that we have seen released in recent years, and we want more of it in the future. 

7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Genre: Adventure / Strategy

The future of Fódlan rests on the decisions that you make, and that alone serves as quite the selling point. But, in all seriousness, if you're already a fan of the series Fire Emblem: Three Houses, this is one of the best strategy games to date. It realises a new, more meaningful direction for the series where stories are prioritised over combat. The challenging, tight, turn-based combat is still there, of course, but it's not all that Fire Emblem is anymore. This is an epic evolution for the series. 

6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Genre: Racing

Apart from the telling clue in the line above, the Nintendo experience isn't complete until you've enraged your closest friends by beating them at Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It's a rite of passage on every Nintendo console. This immediate, relatable, pick-up-and-play fun is exactly what the Switch was created for. Up to eight people can locally, letting you pretend that you're in a Nintendo lifestyle advert, and it's a novelty that two people can play anywhere using a single console. But best of all, this is the ultimate version of an already amazing game, and perhaps the clearest and brilliant example of how great the Switch could be. 

5. Splatoon 3

Genre: Third-person shooter

As the title might suggest, Splatoon 3 is the third entry in Nintendo's zany multiplayer shooter. It manages to walk the line between being family-friendly by using ink blasters and rollers instead of guns and being a really strong competitive title. It's wonderfully fast-paced at all times and offers a compelling single-player campaign to complement its online features. Not only is this one of the best Nintendo Switch games you can pick up, but it's also one of the best multiplayer Switch games on the market. A winner all round. 

4. Super Mario Wonder

Genre: Adventure / Platformer

Who knew it was possible to reinvent the 2D Mario platformer in 2023? But, by Jove, they've done it. Super Mario Bros. Wonder uses the titular Wonder Flowers to mix up the levels in continually unexpected ways, surprising and delighting with every discovery. Throughout the revamped game, we get to see how new power-ups are inventive and creative, and the attention to detail here means it's not a Mario adventure worth missing. 

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Genre: Action RPG

Breath of the Wild takes ideas originally introduced in the first Legend of Zelda game along with concepts expanded on by Skyrim and other modern open-world RPGs and Nintendoizes them, distilling them into purest parts, and polishes the hell out of them. It's a world of wonder and it actually lets you experience that wonder without beating you over the head with hours of tutorials and incessant text boxes re-explaining everything you already know. Playing it on the TV is a treat, but being able to lift the Switch from the dock and take a game of this size and scope wherever you want is a perfect summation of the Switch's potential.

2. Super Mario Odyssey

Genre: Adventure / Platformer

Thanks to Mario's new friend Cappy, Super Mario Odyssey manages to successfully bring the series up to date by gifting Mario a ton of new moves. And by moving out of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario feels fresh and new while still retaining every ounce of its nostalgia and retro charm - there are still ground pounds and green pipes, don't worry. This is very much Mario as his best self so far, and his latest adventure looks absolutely beautiful on the Switch. 

1. Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Genre: Adventure

First, there was Breath of the Wild, but now there's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This is, perhaps more than anything, the biggest showpiece for what the Nintendo Switch can do - even more so than its predecessor did. It's a game about creativity, officially giving players the tools they need to fuse and bind together objects to conjure up new weapons, vehicles, and other inspired devices for solving puzzles or taking down another Bokoblin troupe. It's Hyrule again, but bigger, vaster, and somehow filled with even more secrets. It's a genuine joy, and 100% worth the wait.

For more handheld fun, check out our guide breaking down everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2. You can also take a look at our lists of the best Switch indie games and all the new games heading our way this year.